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Part ONE: Vis-à-vis

The wind was brisk outside and people were arriving at the convention center. Many rushed in to hide from the cold, while the rest, including Brennan slowly walked up to the golden revolving doors. He was swaddled up in a periwinkle jacket and a tartan plaid scarf, hands stuffed in the side pockets and boots cinched tight. He wasn't looking ahead, but down at his feet. There was a lot on his mind and he was looking forward to finally have a chance at relaxing, or at least distract himself from what had been going on at home. The trees were rustling above him, dropping down their carmine and carnelian like leaves. It was peaceful outside, but the noisy ruckus of the city and the malodorous plume of cigarette smoke that plunged into his nostrils seemed to overpower it.

“Did I just make the wrong decision coming here?" The wind whipped his long flowing hair in his face and he coughed. Brennan stepped into a large puddle and it splashed up his legs. “Great! Just, great." He kinda laughed it off but quickly shivered. It was time to get inside and his convention badge before he got too cold.

It was the last day of October, Halloween. It's a season to be yourself, putting on your true persona as mask and calling it any character you'd like. Creativity runs fabulously this time of year and he was very jealous of how free spirited and carefree some could be. But this time of year is also known as Samhain, the thinning of the veil between two worlds. To him, it meant the time for letting go, the time for new beginnings, and the time to remember all those who had significance in his life that had passed on. It was hard for him to celebrate because every year that had passed, he had no one in his life to celebrate and nothing changed in his life. The same old toxic living situation never improved. He was not out with his mother, lest the rest of his family and especially his work. He only let his friends know, and his online acquaintances.

Brennan looked around as he entered the lobby of the hotel. Many were dressed in animal suits giggling and hugging each other, playing games and tossing tennis balls back and forth. He even saw some drag queens all painted for the gods with porcelain white faces and glitter beards sitting at an information booth. “Afternoon sisters!" he said while waving his hand flamboyantly. He was starting to let go and be a bit more himself. They responded back in gleeful welcoming unison. The wait was long, but he had his phone to keep him company. 49 missed messages. “Oh shit." Half of them were from his mom. He had typed up a not so well thought out response. “I'm fine. I made it to the hotel." The rest of the messages were Brennan's friends wondering where he was. “I'm in line waiting to get my badge. Y'all know I can't have any fun without it!"

Brennan put his phone away and looked around again hoping maybe one of them would come down and talk to him to make the time pass. All he saw was a crowd of people, mostly younger than him, by like 10 years or so. “Man do I feel out of place here. I might need to find a new hobby." He finally got up to the front of the line, and grabbed a goodie bag and made some small talk with the convention registrar that he knew. He didn't realize that he had made one of them blush and shake their heads as he left.

Daylight had finally turned into an orange hue as it cast through the large windows. The wind was picking up more and a familiar rattle and wobble like sounds echoed. “B! You're finally here!" He knew that voice and turned to the right to see his friend in a tiger costume standing next to the fireplace and was handing him a big sparkly drink. He ran over and tightly hugged him, nearly knocked the glass out of his hand. “So glad to see you Owain!" The other three were there too. Brennan placed himself in the middle of the group. “Dayumn boyuh took yew long 'nuff." Niko's deep raspy Southern drawl was always something to die over, and his bear farmer in stained denim suspenders and a ratty straw hat didn't help as he slung his arm around him. “Now, come give pawpaw some sugar." “Nice to see you too Niko." They clang their glasses together and kissed each other's cheeks.

Brennan turned to his left to the others, “Felix! My how stunning you are looking this evening!" “Brennan darling! Thank you to notice!" Felix has a raspy Catwoman like voice, all while in a pink glittery lion suit and red bottom stilettos. “Cosmopolitan as always?" “You know it hon! Now if you could fetch me a manthing to play with I'll be set for the night." He shook his hand as if beckoning for service before returning to fanning himself. Brennan's other friend, Aiden sat up and loudly pronounced with sass, “Girl you already had one a few hours earlier! Shouldn't you slow down? Are you trying to ruin your diet?"

“My appetite is insatiable you queen! Just like your hoard of shiny things you silly dragon." He side-eyed and then looked at everyone else, “Besides it's my cheat day!" They laughed at their own witty banter and continued to enjoy each other's jokes as they caught up on life in the past several months since they last met.

“Hon, how was your thirtieth birthday? You do anything exciting, or did you just stay at home again?" Niko was looking with concern into Brennan's eyes. He looked down at his lap, as that question saddened him. “You know the answer to that." “Well then," the farmer bear clad man pulled him closer for a tight hug and ruffled up his hair, “We need to get you a man!" Niko seemed to always take the fatherly role in the group. He was older after all, but not that much older, only about six years more. He was quite mature for his age. As he stood up he growled, “Ok boys and girls, we are on a mission now! We need to find this lovely, sexy, smart, geeky Brennan some dick!" Felix laughed, “Amen bitch! It's been too long since your last one. It's a shame it was attached to horrible person, because he had a nice one." Brennan was hiding his face behind his hands because he was blushing from the embarrassment. “Oh goddess you are making yourself irresistible now, it's so cute" Owain chuckled out. Niko raised his burly hands, “But first, let's get something to chow down on! I'm starving. We best have clear minds if we are to get him a little somethin' somethin'!" He sauntered over to Brennan who finally recovered from his rosy cheek spell. “You gonna be 'aight with us leavin' you alone for 'bit right? Need pawpaw to fix you a plate of somethin'?" Niko was resting his hand on Brennan's shoulder. It was soothing and comforting, and he reciprocated by placing his hand on top briefly. “I'll be ok." Niko nodded. “But I could use a good slice of pizza if they have it!" “You got it boy!" He now was grinning widely, and turned around to find everyone had left without him. “Wait fer me you filthy animals! Don't you think you can forage before this bear!" That reaction gave him a hearty laugh. It was nice.

He continued to sit there alone by the fire, drinking his pink and glittery drink. He had no idea what it was called, but it tasted so good. He just sat there, continuously staring at the night sky until the full moon burst through the clouds. He just happened to glance to the side to see a drink menu. Ohhhh so that's what it is called. Wish Granting Unicorn. If only they could come true. Brennan didn't really notice that all of the moonlight was illuminating only him. He felt as if someone was watching him, but it was a convention; there are already so many people here.

Someone was watching him though, and for longer that Brennan had noticed. A strange, misunderstood and benevolent shadow in the background was pacing back and forth, watching, hunting even? He had seen the moonlight finally start to shine.

“Hey B! It's so good to see you back again. It's been too long!" Brennan's eyes lit up as he saw a leather clad unicorn with a long flowing pastel rainbow mane standing next to him. “Adad!" He jumped up and clung to another friend of his for a long period of time rubbing his shoulders. The shadow in the background paused, watching even more carefully, their head lowered now. “Oh Adad look at you! Oh and did you catch that last Formula 1 race? It rained the entire time!" “I did sweetheart! It was a good one!" He pulled him back in for another hug. “Hey I just saw you sitting their alone and I wanted to check on you to see if you are doing ok. You're not attending alone are you?" Brennan responded with a bit more glee. “No I've got my other four with me, they've gone off to grab some grub and…." His rosy spell came back across his face. Adad chuckled as he wanted to know more. “And…? Please I have to know now." “And…a man. I guess they are playing matchmaking to get me something tonight." Adad's laugh was loud. “Oh sweetie, I'm glad to hear that. Oh I hope the goddess blesses you well with some well needed carnal activities!" “Thank you sir." Adad kissed Brennan's forehead before parting. “Hey I got to get back up to the office, but, if nothing works out as planned tonight, I could always use a handler." Brennan nodded in agreement. The unicorn turned around again and raised his hand out “Remember sweetie, you can always talk to me. I like to keep good company like you around, you're always so nice to me. But for now, Ciao!"

The shadowy figure began to move closer, slowly and quietly. The moonlight seemed to get even brighter than before, the clouds were gone and Venus was clearly right below. The figure rounded the edge of the sofa encompassing the fireplace with his arm resting near Brennan. “Is this seat taken love?" The voice was deep, protective and calming. He turned his head to see standing tall a well built man in a werewolf costume, so masculine and well groomed. His eyes were captivating, hypnotically golden and calm. He couldn't move, nor did he want to. It was such a loving gaze he could drown in. “Nnnn, nnno." The werewolf's aura felt as if it had filled the entire hotel lobby, and it was a cavernous one. That moment felt like an eternity of hope had passed.

Brennan didn't believe in love at first sight, but this was something else. Did he start to doubt himself? No. He wanted to pursue these new feelings he was starting to have. He thought his emotions might betray him, but he at least might be getting another chance, or another chance at being let down. Could I be loved and love again?

“May I sit with you? I've just been watching from afar and, well you seemed so lonely. Even with your other friends you didn't seem to be enjoying yourself yet. I just…" The werewolf looked down in shyness, pausing for a moment. “I just didn't know how to approach you. You need some company? Someone to keep you warm?"

Brennan felt a bit more cheery. Someone had taken interest in him. Was it creepy how he was asked? No, not really. The real creeps fondled and groped at him without asking. The real creeps tried to pull him to their bedrooms while being overly intoxicated. The real creeps did more questionable things in public. He wasn't a prude. He enjoyed sex. He was just more private about it and thoroughly enjoyed the romance before it.

He replied back happily, “I'd like that very much." The werewolf's ears seemed to raise up and a cheery grin grew across his face as his tail wagged. “Cool suit!" Brennan admired it very much as the guest sat down next to him. His paw rested on top of Brennan's. “Thanks." He didn't mind that his hand was underneath his. It was warming, more so than the other costumes he had come across. The werewolf had sensed him feeling a bit more comfortable and loosened up. “May I hold your hand love?" Brennan blushed was blushing again, but this time not from embarrassment, but flattery. He nodded. The werewolf beamed with more happiness. “I'm glad." Minutes of silence passed between the two, lost in each other's own presence. “So tell me, what is your name handsome?" “It's Brennan." “Brennan, an Irish name." “Yeah it means sorrow in my family and I sometimes hate it." His head tilted downwards and a little light left his eyes. “Oh don't do that dear." The werewolf's other paw caressed his cheek and chin. “We will just have to give you a new name then. If it means anything Brennan can also sometimes mean brave." The light started to come back to him and he looked back into the werewolf's eyes. “And what is your name?"

“My name?" “Yeah, what's your name." Brennan smiled. The werewolf thought deeply, he had many names, but picked one he was comfortable with the most “My name is…Yutu."